Discovery of the Southern Makay Massif
€1300 per person
The Makay has become the place to travel in Madagascar. This trip allows you to discover extraordinary landscapes and canyons which shelter endemic flora and fauna.
Refuge of biodiversity, you will be seduced by the spectacle of raw nature.
After setting up our fixed camp in a spectacular tangle of canyons, we radiate on foot between narrow gorge with clear waters and white sand climbing plateaus with magnificent panoramas.
This voyage of discovery, accessible to any motivated and curious person, provides access to the heart of the Makay massif and to approach its treasures of biodiversity.
Highlights
Antsirabe, Ambositra, Fianarantsoa, Anja Private Reserve, Makay Massif, Anakao
Departure/Arrival
Antananarivo
When to Go
May - October
Included
Domestic Flight Toliara - Antananarivo | Transfers airport - hotel - airport | Private Car with English Speaking Guide | Entry Fee of Mentioned Excursions | Full Board from Day 2 to Day 9 | Half Board on day 10/11 | Ferry Toliara - Anakao return
Not Included
Entry Visa (€35 pp) | Lunches and dinners not mentioned | Drinks | Personal Expenses | Anything not Mentioned in Included
What to Bring
Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes , sleeping bag, hat and warm light jacket and light trench coat.
Options
n/a
Prices per person
- 1 Traveler n/a
- 2 Travelers €1700, 1 tw/dbl
- 3 Travelers €1600, 1 tpl
- 4 Travelers €1500, 2 tw/dbl
- 5 Travelers €1390, 1 tw/dbl + 1 tpl
- 6 Travelers €1300, 3 tw/dbl
For more options, please contact us
From Our Gallery
Be our gest and see it for your self
Some of the sights waiting for you
1
Day 1 Antananarivo
Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel for the first night of the trip. Hotel Gasy Country House or similar.
2
Day 2 Antananarivo – Fianarantsoa 420 km, 10 hours' drive
After breakfast, we head south along the RN7. We cross the characteristic landscapes of the Malagasy Highlands by taking a winding road bordered by a mosaic of fields of various cultures and rice fields arranged in terraces. We stop for a lunch break in Antsirabe. In two more hours drive we arrive
the city of Ambositra, Madagascar's capital of wood crafts. Quick visit of the boutiques to continue to Fianarantsoa, 4 hours away.
3
Day 3 Fianarantsoa - Ambalavao - Ranohira 280 km, 6 hours' drive
Through the patchwork of rice terraces and various crops where all the shades of green are
declined, we continue south to Ambalavao known for its vineyards.
We stop at the small Anja reserve: a gallery forest of ficus, lianas and orchids has developed between
spectacular rock formations, sometimes forming caves adopted as shelters by some
animals and humans in the past. On the slopes succulent plants such as
kalanchoes and pachypodiums can easily be seen. In this green paradise live in small colonies these ring-tailed lemurs, the makis catta. They spend a lot of time on the ground, are not too
fierce and are therefore easily observable. After visiting Anja, we continue south to Ranohira, the land of the Bara situated in one of the largest plateau of Madagascar,
the Ihorombe. Hotel Isalo Ranch or similar.
4
Day 4 Ranohira - Beronono 260 km, 8 hours drive
Transfer by car to the village of Beronono, we drive northwards along a dusty track passing the Mangoky river before passing Beroroha the main village of the region. Arrival expected by the end of the afternoon, installation of the camp just by the Makay river. Overnight camping near the river.
5
Day 5 Beronono - Morafeno 17 km, 9 hours' hike
Today we will start exploring on foot the Makay region. We will walk along the Makay river then continuation towards a small forest to reach the Mahatiny Cave. In this cave we will find some of the oldest paintings of Madagascar, geometric figures dating centuries ago. In the afternoon, we take a small path that leads us to a part of the ridge where we will have a view
on the massif before returning to the edge of the Makay river. Overnight camping by the river.
6
Day 6 Morafeno - Anosilahy 10 km, 6 hours' hike
After breakfast, we hike in the reeds to continue then
over a large part of the ridge, where we will have magnificent views of two lakes. Here, the parrots
are omnipresent, their cries echo in these long corridors. Some raptors such as buzzards,
kites and striped polyboroides soar above the mountains. In the afternoon, small descent
before arriving by the Lake Anosilahy. Then we go up a small river which leads us
to the place of the bivouac. Overnight camping by the river.
7
Day 7 Anosilahy - Sariaka 18 km, 7 hours' hike
We begin the day by exploring a superb deep canyon where we can see
surprising vegetation. We then follow a path that lead os on a plateau to join a
another canyon which takes us to Lake Sariaka. Overnight camping by the lake.
8
Day 8 Sariaka - Beronono 15 km, 5 hours' hike
Today we head back to Beronono, our start point, where we expect to arrive by early afternoon. Overnight camping by the river.
9
Day 9 Beronono - Ranohira 260 km, 8 hours drive
Back on the dirt road to rejoin Ranohira on the RN7. Hotel Isalo Ranch or similar.
10
Day 10/11 Ranohira - Toulear - Anakao
We depart from Ranohira very early in the morning (5AM), we need to be in Toliara by 9 AM. In Toliara, we board the direct ferry to Anakao, the main fishing village of the Vezo people. Here we will spend the next 2 nights. Hotel safari Vezo or similar.
11
Day 12 Anakao - Toliara - Antananarivo
The ferry for Toliara is expected to depart by 6.30 AM. Upon arrival in Toliara, transfert to the airport to catch the direct flight to Antananarivo. End of our services.
Tour Location
The Main Sights of the Tour
Antsirabe
Antsirabe is located not far from the Malagasy capital, at an altitude of more than 1,400 meters: we have to say that during the austral winter, it is cold for Madagascar. This ancient spa town has kept its quaint colonial style. Antsirabe is peaceful and calm, perhaps a little sleepy. You can go on lovely mountain bike or horse rides in the Vakinankatatra. In addition, the city has thousands of beautifully decorated rickshaws. Great for hikers, Lac Tritriva and Mt Ibity are great destinations.Ambositra
90 km from Antsirabe and 1,350 meters above sea level is Ambositra, a pretty town with beautiful adobe and brick houses. Numerous plows drawn by zebus that roam the city. Ambositra is a big peasant town full of charm and relaxing. The surrounding mountains and the visit of artisan villages can be the occasion for pleasant strolls.Fianarantsoa
In the center of the island slightly south, between the valleys and the green mountains of the Betsileo region we find Fianarantsoa. Its 150,000 inhabitants make it a real city, capital of the region, known for its many churches and its university. This is where there are many intellectuals who give the city an interesting cultural aspect. The highest point of the city is a must visit and it is considered the best preserved town of Madagascar.Ambalavao
Ambalavao is a charming town with several very beautiful betsileo style buildings. It is the hub of the zebu trade in the region. The cattle that pass through the city every day create a pleasant animation. The Ambalavao region is known for its land of wine, wild silk and chewing tobacco. From here we can visit the National Park of Andringitra.Ranohira
The village of Ranohira is located in the Isalo massif. This is the starting point for exploring Madagascan Colorado. Ranohira is just a small town with little interest.Makay Massif
The Makay massif is a mountain range from Madagascar located north of the Isalo massif, in the west of the country. Jurassic sandstone form a ruiniform relief, of erosive origin, on the site. It benefits from an abundant hydrography and shelters a remarkable biodiversity, including several endemic species and several types of lemurs. Despite the disturbances caused by human activities, a relict gallery forest still exists in the crevasses of the massif.Anakao
Located south of Saint-Augustin, Anakao is the region's best-known fishing village. It is very popular with visitors for its fishing returns and its possibilities for excursions, snorkelling or diving in a canoe vezo. Surf lovers will also find their happiness. Anakao cannot be reached by road unless you like spending more than 8 hours in a terrible dusty road. The ferry from Toliara take 45 minutes to reach Anakao and it departs every day at 9.30 AM.
